India rely on cool all-rounder Dhoni

India expect skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to fire in the upcoming World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

The former champions are already without hard-hitting batsman Virender Sehwag due to a shoulder injury, but wicketkeeper-batsman Dhoni is second to none when it comes to striking the ball hard and clean.

The 28-year-old captain, who guided Chennai Super Kings to the Indian Premier League trophy, is known for holding his nerve under pressure and winning matches from hopeless situations with his power-hitting.

In a must-win IPL match against Kings XI Punjab in Dharamshala recently, Dhoni proved why he was considered one of the best finishers in the game.

Chennai needed 52 to win off the last four overs before the captain guided his team to the semi-finals with an explosive 29-ball 54 not out, which included two sixes and five fours.

"It came right down to the wire, and hats off to the skipper for pulling it off," Chennai coach and former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming wrote in his newspaper column after the match. "It was an emotional moment for him too, and he is usually such a calm character. Dhoni has had a quiet tournament and it was nice to see him get his confidence back."